The littlest snowman

We received the tiniest of snowfalls yesterday, but it was just enough to make a very short snowman. Little Omi did not like to put her feet on the snow, so we had to clear away what little snow there was so she could stand on the grass to admire Aunt Sassy's handiwork.

Tonight we got together with our good friends B & L for some home-smoked pork ribs. Mmm! B smoked the ribs, and Aunt Sassy made mashed potatoes and cole slaw. And to top it all off, she and Little Omi baked ginger snaps, which we enjoyed with some delicious home-canned peaches from B's mom.

After dinner, B entertained us with some great guitar playing and taught me the chords to Wilco's "California Stars," one of my all-time favorite songs. Little Omi accompanied us by playing the harmonica and scratching the walls.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

We finally went out and got a Christmas tree last Sunday. It's the first live tree we've had, which kind of amazes me because I am such a fan of the live tree. Little Omi greets it every morning with a cheer, and loves to visit it and all the ornaments throughout her day (especially when the lights come on). And, yes, for those who are wondering, those are pool noodles wrapped around our coffee table. Got to protect the wee noggin, now, don't we?


And here's our darling tree-top angel. She was our tree-topper when I was growing up (I'm sure you're not surprised, considering her dress is orange calico). When Little Omi sees her, she points and says, "Baby-doll!" which is her newest word. She got a book about babies from a friend recently and now she's all about the babies and her baby doll (who can be seen on the sofa in the above photo).

I've been playing Christmas music non-stop, in an effort to catch up before the day actually arrives. While usually I am nuts for Charlie Brown's Christmas music, this year I'm afraid it has been a bit overplayed, and so I've opted for Ella Fitzgerald and some other classics like Dean Martin, Andy Williams, the Jackson 5, and Elvis. And in the car, it's all Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas all the time.

Proud of the Pride

It has recently come to my attention that our marching band (aka the Pride of Oklahoma) has been performing Michael Jackson's "Thriller" at halftime shows at the past few football games. And by perform, I mean perform. Check it:

Dance contest

I've been rummaging through my old CDs lately and playing lots of music for Little Omi. She will wiggle to just about any tune and can really cut a rug. On Tuesday we were all about Carole King's Tapestry. Wednesday found us rocking to Simon & Garfunkel's Concert in Central Park. Today I noticed a couple of albums I haven't listened to in ages, both by The Squirrel Nut Zippers. Remember them, from the late 90s swing-craze days? They had one huge hit ("Hot"), then faded into obscurity as the retro-swing style dwindled.

Well, let me tell you, this is music you can't help but boogie to; Omi-chan was even dancing in her booster seat through lunch. So, if you own these CDs, but just haven't dragged them out in forever because you initially listened them to death or they remind you of that one bad boyfriend you had in the 90s (or the guy you dated while you and said boyfriend were "on a break"), fear not! You can create new memories with your little ones while dancing like crazy fiends in your living room. Oatmeal-container drum & wooden spoon drumstick: optional.

Be good

Everyone should have at least one friend who has excellent taste in music. I am lucky to have a good friend, B, who not only has great taste in music, but he will burn cds for me every time he and his wife come over for dinner (plus, they usually provide the main course and, if we're really lucky, pie for dessert! Yes, we are blessed to have such wonderful friends.). A few months ago, B mentioned that I might like The Be Good Tanyas, and he was right. They have a bit of a Cowboy Junkies vibe only without sounding like they're from the early 90s. While Little Omi was suffering with her fever, we listened to their album Hello Love over and over. And as Prince covers go, their "When Doves Cry" is definitely up there with Tom Jones's "Kiss." Here's the video for "Human Thing." Enjoy!